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I got those travelin’ code compliance blues

Hospital Safety Insider, July 26, 2018

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Editor's note: This was originally published on Steve MacArthur's blog, Mac's Safety Space.

One occupational hazard (or probably more correctly an occupational preoccupation) I find is a constant awareness of code violations wherever I go. It seems that there are an awful lot of airports, concert venues, and the like that are engaged in upgrading facilities, and often, there are plenty of opportunities to look up into the areas above the ceiling envelope.

Now, I absolutely understand why healthcare gets a lot of scrutiny relative to concerns of life (and general) safety; far too many folks incapable of self-preservation to put them at risk. But as I wander around looking at stuff, I’m thinking we’re dealing with a whole mess of folks (euphemistically called passengers) in almost a collective daze, mesmerized by their cell phones, etc., who would be difficult to manage in the event of an emergency (I also have no doubt that the folks in charge in these various venues have already considered this and have plans in place).

At any rate, just this morning, I was privy to a number of open junction boxes, cabling attached to sprinkler piping, the odd penetration (don’t have the life safety drawings to hand, so I can’t say), in areas just outside of the main construction zone(s)—and no, I didn’t see a posted infection control risk assessment, but it does make one wonder whether it might not be such a bad thing. Presumably things are well-isolated from an HVAC standpoint, though certainly less so from a noise standpoint, but the whole thing does periodically give one (or at least gives me) pause.

It is generally acknowledged that healthcare is a heavily regulated industry, and while I think we could certainly engage in extensive debate about the prioritization of risk when it comes to some of the minor imperfections that have become so much a part of the typical survey report, I don’t know that I would alter the accreditation process (which is kind of self-serving as helping folks manage the process is how I make a living).

In the end, this probably a little ado about nothing, but sometimes one is charged with channeling one’s inner curmudgeon...

One item as we close out this week, Health Facilities Management is soliciting input on the operational challenges relating to various monthly inspection and testing items (exit signs, elevator recall) as a function of (more or less) “if you already have a reduced resource pool with which to work, how are you going to manage these?” Check out an article discussing this in general, which includes links to the surveys for each area of consideration. ASHE has been a very effective advocate over time when it comes to compliance activities, so I think it would be good to make your voice heard.

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